In the Age of Sorrows, Quintessence is a mystical substance created by the prayers of mortals aimed at Heaven. Quintessence is a glowing blue liquid that can be converted by skilled craftsmen into wondrous forms of mortal items - excellent food, fine robes and the like. These items exist at the upper limit of human crafting abilities and are transient. As a result, goods crafted by Quintessence are seen as somewhat declasse by most Gods. The Celestial Incarna in particular do not eat, drink or wear items made from Quintessence, but instead use their Quintessence allotment to make fertilizer for Peaches of Immortality and Celestial Wine.